On October 15, 2006, legislation went into effect requiring mandatory criminal history background checks for applicants for flight school instruction. Details regarding the legislation is available at the Department of Criminal Justice website.

NYAMA opposed this legislation on the grounds of federal preemption, and has been working with DCJS and the bill's sponsors to address a number of problems with the legislation. NYAMA has urged DCJS to promulgate regulations that clarify the many confusing and obscure elements of the legislation.

We will continue to keep you informed as information develops.

by Bruce Geiger, NYAMA Legislative Representative

The following report outlines key legislative issues and updates affecting aviation in New York State. NYAMA will be disseminating this report periodically to help keep members abreast of issues in Albany.

The Governor and Governor’s Staff           

Governor Elliot Spitzer in his State of the State announced his intentions to concentrate on revitalization of the Upstate economy, in part by state investment in infrastructure. While the importance of the state's "fourth major downstate airport" (Stewart) is mentioned, there is no further references to aviation.

Daniel Gundersen, who has run day-to-day operations at Pennsylvania's economic development office since 2003 after similar stints at agencies in Maryland and Philadelphia, will become co-chairman of the state's Empire State Development Corp. and head of its new upstate office in Buffalo. Kenneth A. Schoetz, who headed Spitzer's Buffalo office while Spitzer was state attorney general, to be the agency's chief operating officer. Beyond Spitzer's plans to help the upstate region by cutting property taxes and business costs—like workers' compensation—and pumping money into aging infrastructures, Gundersen said he envisions devising an economic recovery plan "that recognizes each region has its own unique set of issues and to develop blueprints for solutions." Pat Foye, Spitzer's friend of 20 years, is the downstate co-chairman.

The other key player in the administration is the Budget Director and Senior Advisor to the Governor, Paul Francis.

The New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA) is pleased to announce its support for the Rebuild and Renew New York Transportation Bond Act of 2005, to be presented to the State’s voting citizens as a referendum on the November 8 ballot.

NYAMA finds the 2005 Transportation Bond Act to be a fiscally sound investment in New York State’s transportation system, providing critical funding for the State’s airports, highways, bridges, rail system, ports, mass transit, and canals. It will significantly benefit the State’s traveling public through helping to ensure a state of good repair and transportation safety.

• Seek new state aid program for general aviation and commercial service airports in new multi-year transportation capital plan.
  • Federal proposed budget decreased AIP funding from $3.6 billion to $3.0 billion (16.6% decrease)
  • New York State received $157 million in AIP funding in 2004
  • Expected impact, 2005: $26.2 million (loss)
• Support legislation to exempt the purchase of non-commercial service aircraft from New York State sales tax.
• Support legislation preserving the $8 million state matching share of AIP program grants, and seek scheduled increases in the next five-year transportation capital plan.
• Seek inclusion of general aviation and commercial service aviation eligibility in the Strategic Partnership for Upstate Resurgence [SPUR] advanced by the Governor. SPUR is intended to generate economic growth and job creation in rural areas of the state. Airports could add value to this program.

The New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA) supports federal and state initiatives to enhance New York air service and airport revitalization projects. NYAMA represents airport managers, other key airport employees and their respective communities at hundreds of public and private commercial service and general aviation airports throughout New York State. NYAMA’s membership includes representatives from small regional airports to major airport hubs, and is the only statewide aviation management association in New York State.